Spencer Chandra Herbert, Minister of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation, has released the following statement on the appointment of Angela Wesley as the new provincially appointed commissioner to the BC Treaty Commission:

“I wish to congratulate and welcome back Angela Wesley on being appointed by the Government of British Columbia to a two-year term at the BC Treaty Commission as the provincially appointed commissioner.

“Wesley previously served in this role from 2018 to 2025, helping shape many significant moments in treaty negotiations in B.C., including the initialling of three treaties in 2024 with K’ómoks, Kitselas and Kitsumkalum First Nations. Her wealth of knowledge and experience will help the Treaty Commission to build on that progress as more treaty negotiations advance.

“A citizen of the Huu-ay-aht First Nations (Nuu-chah-nulth), one of five First Nations implementing the Maa-nulth Treaty, Wesley is a leader in Indigenous governance, modern treaties and community development.

“She was involved in the negotiation, ratification and ongoing implementation of the Maa-nulth Treaty, which was the first multi-Nation modern treaty under the B.C. treaty process. Wesley has served as Speaker (legislative chairperson) for the Huu-ay-aht First Nations Legislature and People’s Assemblies.

“For more than the past 30 years, through her consulting company Wes-Can Advisory Services, Wesley has worked with First Nations, providing advisory and facilitation services in areas of strategic planning, community development and engagement, communications and governance capacity building. She is involved in international discussions on Indigenous governance and leadership.

“I also acknowledge and thank George Abbott, who transitioned from his role as the provincially appointed commissioner to chief commissioner in April 2026.

“I look forward to continuing the work of my predecessors, by working in partnership with the Treaty Commission, and alongside my colleagues in the federal government and the First Nations Summit to support progress in negotiations of modern treaties, agreements and other constructive arrangements that are helping us move forward together with strength and certainty.”

Quick Facts:

• Established in 1992, the BC Treaty Commission is an independent, impartial body responsible for facilitating treaty negotiations between the provincial and federal governments, and participating First Nations in B.C.
• The Treaty Commission is governed by federal and provincial legislation (provincial Treaty Commission Act and federal British Columbia Treaty Commission Act) and the First Nations Summit resolution under which it was jointly established.
• The Treaty Commission consists of one chief commissioner and four commissioners.
• The four commissioners hold two-year terms.
• The commissioners are appointed by each principal, with the First Nations Summit electing two commissioners, and the federal and provincial governments appointing one each.
• Commissioners do not represent the principals who appoint them. and serve independently.

Learn More:

• BC Treaty Commission: https://bctreaty.ca/
• To learn more about the treaty negotiations process in B.C., visit: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/environment/natural-resource-stewardship/consulting-with-first-nations/first-nations-negotiations/about-first-nations-treaty-process